The decision is a major victory for whale protection efforts and a clear call for the end of hunting in the Southern Ocean where Japan has killed over 10,000 whales since whaling was banned in 1986 – a ban WWF was instrumental in helping achieve. In the case brought by Australia against what Japan calls ‘scientific whaling’, the Court determined that JARPA II was not designed to reach its stated objectives and that the special whaling permits granted by Japan are not for scientific research. While the Court’s decision is binding, Japan may propose a new whaling programme to get around the Court’s ruling.

Original article posted: 31.03.14 Updated: 28.04.14

The president of the ICJ reading the court's decision that Japan end its current scientific whaling program in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary.